What are the causes of hair loss, thinning hair, and premature balding?
There are many types and causes of hair loss. The most common cause is genetic hair loss inherited from a male or female through heredity on either side of the family. Other causes include disease, stress, trauma, diet or hormones.
Androgenetic Alopecia (pattern baldness)
70 million men and women suffer from genetic hair loss which is called androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia is hereditary baldness passed down from male or female relatives with balding or thinning hair. Male pattern baldness can be prevented in the vertex and crown with Propecia, a DHT blocker. Propecia does not work in the frontal hair line and is not for women or children.
Alopecia Areata (auto immune disorders)
Some diseases cause hair to fall out when white blood cells attack hair follicles. Some autoimmune disorders that cause alopecia areata include thyroid disease, lupus, vitiligo, ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. With alopecia areata hair can fall out and re-grow again and again.
Cicatricial Alopecia (scarring)
Cicatricial alopecia is a rare form of hair loss. In hair loss caused by cicatricial alopecia, inflammation and scarring destroy the delicate hair follicles. Scars can occur from burns or injuries and it may also be caused from skin disorders such as lichen planus, fungal infections or lupus erythematosus.
Diffuse Pattern Alopecia (DPA)
When the frontal hairline remains in tact but hair becomes diffused and thin in an even pattern everywhere except the safe zone which is the DHT resistant area on the sides and back of the head then diffused pattern alopecia is present.
Diffuse Unpatterned Allopecia (DUPA)
When hair loss is evenly diffused throughout the entire head, even in the safe zone, this is called diffuse unpatterned alopecia. Those with diffuse unpatterned allopecia do not make good hair transplant patients, because they do not have good donor hair.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
A hormone called dihydrotestosterone or DHT is the cause of pattern baldness in both men and women. DHT is an androgen, a hormone responsible for the development of sexual characteristics. This hormone is produced more rapidly as a person ages and is created when testosterone and an enzyme called Type II 5-alpha Reductase are synthesized. For those who are genetically predispositioned to be affected by DHT, hair miniaturization can occur because of mucus buildup in the hair follicles.
Female Pattern Hair loss (androgenetic alopecia)
In female pattern baldness the frontal hairline often stays in tact while thinning or diffusing occurs throughout the rest of the head. Female pattern baldness is genetically inherited for those susceptible to DHT.
Male Pattern Baldness (androgenetic alopecia)
Male pattern baldness is the number one cause of hair loss in the United States. Passed down through genetics, male pattern baldness can be inherited through both the mother and the father. Typical male pattern baldness begins with a receding hairline or thinning crown that continues to thin over time until hair is very thin or completely gone everywhere except the safe zone. The safe zone is the horseshoe area on the sides and back of the head where hair follicles are resistant to DHT, a hormone that causes hair loss.
Traction Alopecia (scars from pulling hair too tightly)
When hair is pulled too tightly and the scalp becomes scarred, traction alopecia can occur. If the pulling is stopped soon enough the situation can be corrected otherwise scarring and hair loss may become permanent. Hair styles to be cautious about are pony and pig tails, braids and dreadlocks.
Trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder)
Hair pulling disorder is a mental illness where people compulsively pull out their own hair and often hide the behavior with hats or wigs.
Telogen Effluvium (stress or shock)
Telogen effluvium is temporary hair loss due to stress or "shock" caused by physical or emotional conditions. Hair goes into a resting phase, growth is temporarily stopped, and hair falls out in clumps or patches. A wide range of causes can be attributed to telgen effluvium such as unusual weight loss, diet, disease, medicine side effects, emotional trauma, or nutritional deficiencies. If the causes are eliminated, hair usually starts to grow again within 6 to 9 months.
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